Our newest content partner is a company with quite powerful portfolio. LA-based Stranger Comics hasn't even hit the market with their flagship property The Untamed and Hollywood came knocking, with powerhouses like Lloyd Levin (Watchmen) and Andrew Sugerman (Shopgirl) signing on to adapt. With a richly developed swords and sorcery world populated by a much more diverse cast of elves, dwarves and monsters than your average fantasy fare, they're rolling out a slate of properties including blog-first short fiction called Grimoires. We're proud to present that material here … welcome to the world of Asunda.
A man of wickedness is what they whisper when the day is bright and the sun is violent. But as Zunn takes his ritual slumber and Magga's night wind howls through sin stained alleys none will utter a word. For maybe he is listening.
ASARRA BAY Vorsha, Day 23
Soihf Aoisdf will die this night.
The night air is cloying and thick. Cheap whores laugh like liars to grown men pretending to be boys. Their perfume lingers like a velvet cloud of desperation but no one cares. Coins exchange among eager hands as sailors clatter along the docks.
Aoisdf will wait his turn. He is a short fat human swill of Unglish origin; although he wears the garish garb of Turmeshian traders for it is in Zalador he was rutted out.
From within the dark walls the harbor light cannot find I wait, trying to avoid the stench of his fear and excitement. The sea salt and sweat cascade from his rock face forehead to waxed thick beard. His left hand twitches towards a brash pink purse, his right slicks back the oiled black hair he paid for in Jetos.
Four silk laces tie it off in the fashion of a powerful merchant who only deals with Lords and Kings. A boast he will wear in crimson. A thick gilded belt does nothing to hide the forty years of eating well. Now, in the puddle riddled outdoor corridor he wonders if the rumors are true; and perhaps it was better to stay home with the son he loves and the three whores he ruts.
Don’t like ads? Become a supporter and enjoy The Good Men Project ad freeSlave trade is far less profitable when dealing with humans and even Macgrom, but with Silver Blood the price is high and there is little competition. Slavers fear war, and some have long memories to the epochs of before, when we Morkai were kings who roamed the earth and seas. The second fear they have, is me.
Judging by the quickened creaks of brass on wood, his moment of bliss is at hand. Aoisdf shifts from foot to foot; his jewel encrusted dagger clumsily pats his silk wrapped rump. He pulls a small gold flask and sips a brew to calm his nerves. A religion he performs every night after tucking his boy to bed. The strong Jdiew within, an aphrodisiac, will stiffen his manhood and ready him for a night of grunting. His hope, to bear a second son who does not wear the smile of the father he murdered. He will not have his fun tonight. His first born will also die.
For those who deal in slavery of the Morkai will earn a long road to the Dark Beyond the Gate. I will hurt him slow. But in fairness to the boy he will not wake up, and not have dreams of the kind that could haunt a spirit for all eternity.
"You're next, fat man," whispers the fatter whore.
Aoisdf adjusts his girth and steps into the shadows of a secret door …
Asunda Grimoires will enjoy a limited run Mondays at 11:11 AM until Mike Sales Southside Nefertiti returns in February.
[Source: Stranger Comics]
PREVIOUSLY:
- Meet Fichiki Siri
- Asunda Grimoires: Fichiki Siri, "Death of a Merchant" #1 of 4
- Asunda Grimoires: Fichiki Siri, "Death of a Merchant" #2 of 4
- Asunda Grimoires: Fichiki Siri, "Death of a Merchant" #3 of 4
- Asunda Grimoires: Fichiki Siri, "Death of a Merchant" #4 of 4
- Meet Skarlok Two Hearts